Archived News and Articles - April 2007
Archive Date - April 30, 2007
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY CELLPHONE
Cell phones have become an integral part of American culture, and text messaging leads the way.
Jacobs Media Release
Of all the tech gadgets and innovations available to consumers, Jacobs Media’s Technology Poll III clearly shows the growing influence and importance of the cell phone. Overall, 92% of the entire sample own one – up from 90% in ’06. And in the past year, nearly half (48%) say they’re using cell phones a little or a lot more. This is a gadget that women are especially comfortable with. They use cell phones more often than men, and they are more apt to enjoy and use many of the features that are becoming standard equipment on these devices.
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
FIRST LISTEN: LONE STAR 92.5
Sean Ross – Edison Media Research
When Clear Channel's Classic Rock KZPS Dallas became Lone Star 92.5 on April 23, it became the latest station in the industry's longtime quest to try and: A) Finally make a Classic Rock/Country hybrid work; B) Switch from a spot-driven model to a marketing driven model, in this case selling hour-long sponsorships to national advertisers who will get embedded content in lieu of traditional spots--think Coca-Cola on the judges' desks on "American Idol" or Burger King and Crest woven into the weekly tasks on "The Apprentice."
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
CRTC ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2006-2007
CRTC Release
The CRTC is pleased to present our Annual Report outlining our 2006-2007 principal
accomplishments.
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
CRTC 3-YEAR WORK PLAN 2007-2010
CRTC Release
The communications industry is changing at a rapid pace. During the next three years, the Commission will be challenged to respond to unprecedented developments in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors. And the Commission will respond.
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
IMPROPER COMMENTS IN BREACH
CBSC Release
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) today released its decision concerning the broadcast of an episode of Freedom Radio Network (FRN) on July 29, 2006 on CHRB-AM (High River). That half-hour show focused on an individual who had brought a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission about the website comments of an FRN co-host and another group about persons on account of their sexual orientation. He also complained to the CBSC about the broadcast, alleging that the program had been used to retaliate against him, in violation of clauses of the CAB Code of Ethics dealing with Human Rights; full, fair, and proper presentation of opinion and comment; and failing to treat fairly controversial public issues.
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
BILL TO SET ASIDE WEBCAST ROYALTIES
Brida Connolly and Jeffrey Yorke – Radio and Records
Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) today (April 26) introduced the "Internet Radio Equality Act," which would vacate the Copyright Royalty Board's recent hike in webcast performance royalties and set a transitional flat royalty rate of 7.5% of revenues for 2006-2010. The bill would also let webcasters choose an alternative rate of .33 cents per hour of programming streamed to a single listener.
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
NAB, NPR RESPOND TO INTERNET ACT
Brida Connolly and Jeffrey Yorke – Radio and Records
NAB executive VP Dennis Wharton said of the Internet Radio Equality Act, introduced today in the House of Representatives, "NAB is reviewing details of Rep. Inslee's bill, which would overturn the Copyright Royalty Board's disappointing decision to dramatically raise fees for companies that stream music over the Internet. We will work with Congress to craft a solution that helps ensure the survival of a fledgling audio platform."
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
DIGITAL MEDIA GROWTH PROJECTIONS
Bridge Ratings
As part of Bridge Ratings' on-going study of audience attrition of traditional radio and subscriber and user growth of alternative digital media, we now publish quarterly insight comparing projected use and growth. Included here is an update to our findings published since March of 2005.
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Archive Date - April 30, 2007
XM REACHES 8 MILLION SUBS
AllAccess
XM Satellite Radio Holdings announced that it has passed the 8 million subscriber mark after finishing first quarter 2007 with 7.9 million subs. XM says that it added a gross subscriber count of 868,000 and net 285,000, off from first quarter 2006's gross 1 million and net 569,000.
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Archive Date - April 27, 2007
BROADCASTING DECISION CRTC 2007-116
CKOV Kelowna – Conversion to FM band
CRTC Release
The Commission approves the application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership (Pattison), for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language FM radio programming undertaking at Kelowna to replace its AM station CKOV.
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Archive Date - April 27, 2007
CBS HOSTS SUSPENDED AFTER PRANK CALL
Jacques Steinberg – New York Times
CBS Radio suspended two hosts from an FM station in New York City today after an Asian-American advocacy organization complained about the broadcast of a six-minute prank phone call to a Chinese restaurant that was peppered with ethnic and sexual slurs.
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Archive Date - April 27, 2007
BAN 'EXTREME CURSE WORDS'
Daniel Trotta – Reuters
A prominent U.S. hip-hop executive wants to eliminate the words "bitch," "ho" and "nigger" from the recording industry, considering them "extreme curse words."
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Archive Date - April 27, 2007
DESTINY MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES' PLAY MPE
Digital Media Distribution System Launches In Canada
Destiny Media Technologies Release
Destiny Media Technologies, a leader in online media solutions, announced today that its Play MPE system is now available in Canada. "Play MPE is the U.S. industry standard for distributing pre-release music to radio and other trusted recipients. Our Canadian launch is a significant next step toward our goal to make Play MPE the global standard," said Destiny Media CEO Steve Vestergaard.
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Archive Date - April 27, 2007
WHAT IS FAIR?
Kurt Hanson – RAIN
The crux of the entire CRB royalty rate controversy boils down to two simple questions: "What is practical?" and "What is fair?"
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Archive Date - April 25, 2007
MAKING WAVES IN RADIO
Pocket-sized gadget's impact on listener ratings and ad revenue could be seismic shift in the medium's paradigm
Erika D. Smith – Indianapolis Star
The Portable People Meter, another pocket- sized gadget, is about to change the broadcast radio industry forever.
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Archive Date - April 24, 2007
LONE STAR 92.5 DEBUTS IN BIG D
Mike Boyle – Radio and Records
Take a blend of country, sprinkle in some Southern rock with alternative country, forget about traditional commercials as you know them and you've just described Clear Channel Radio's new Lone Star 92.5, which debuted at the stroke of midnight Sunday night/Monday morning on former classic rocker KZPS/Dallas.
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Archive Date - April 24, 2007
CC BOARD AGREES TO HIGHER BID
Megan Davies and Sue Zeidler – Reuters
Clear Channel Communications Inc. said on Wednesday it agreed to a higher buyout offer from Thomas H. Lee and Bain Capital, but some analysts said the new bid still fell short of investor demands.
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Archive Date - April 24, 2007
BROADCASTING COMPANY TAKES STAND
Jim Salter – Associated Press
A St. Louis company that operates four TV stations and a hip-hop radio station said Wednesday it is banning programming and music lyrics that it deems violent, sexist and racist.
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Archive Date - April 23, 2007
DIGITAL CONTINUES TO EXTEND RADIO
Listening to AM/FM radio stays strong despite growing use of digital audio platforms; Weekly Online Radio listening audience remains steady in past year; iPods/other portable MP3 players are the fastest expanding digital audio platform; Increased awareness in HD Radio has not yet translated into high interest
Arbitron/Edison Media Research Release
According to the latest study by Arbitron and Edison Media Research, The Infinite Dial 2007: Radio’s Digital Platforms, consumers are continuing to explore radio in all its digital platforms -- Online Radio, Satellite Radio, HD Radio®, and audio podcasting -- while maintaining a broad use of AM/FM radio.
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Archive Date - April 20, 2007
TEMPO ISN'T JUST ABOUT MUSIC
Steve Casey – AllAccess
If you've seen very much research, you've already noticed the following: Music tests for adult radio stations, particularly if they ask the opinions of women, come back with something that men who program radio stations don't like very much. You see that a huge number of hits are soft. They are romantic. They are about love and love lost. Imagine that!
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Archive Date - April 20, 2007
EMERGING ARTISTS TURN TO TV
Chuck Crisafulli – Hollywood Reporter
The head bops. The toes tap. One after another, hot new songs by cool new artists are kicking through the speakers. Yes, you're watching television.
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Archive Date - April 20, 2007
JUDGES UPHOLD INTERNET RADIO ROYALTY
AllAccess
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) today upheld its earlier decision on fair royalty rates to be paid to musical artists and record labels for the use of their work on Internet radio. The three-judge panel denied motions by Internet radio operators for a rehearing of the board's March 1 decision setting performance royalty rates for Internet radio from 2006 to 2010.
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Archive Date - April 19, 2007
XM CANADA REPORTS STRONG Q2
CNW
Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. ("CSR"), today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended February 28, 2007 based on the achievement of 237,500 subscribers.
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Archive Date - April 19, 2007
CRTC LAUNCHES DIVERSITY REVIEW
CRTC Release
In a notice of public hearing issued today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a public proceeding to review various issues relating to the ownership of Canadian broadcasting companies, with a focus on their impact on the diversity of voices that the broadcasting system provides to Canadians.
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Archive Date - April 18, 2007
THE IMUS FALLOUT
James Poniewozik – Time
Say this for Don Imus: the man knows how to turn an economical phrase. When the radio shock jock described the Rutgers women's basketball team, on the April 4 Imus in the Morning, as "nappy-headed hos," he packed so many layers of offense into the statement that it was like a perfect little diamond of insult. There was a racial element, a gender element and even a class element (the joke implied that the Scarlet Knights were thuggish and ghetto compared with the Tennessee Lady Vols).
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Archive Date - April 18, 2007
XM BURNING THROUGH CASH
Dips into U.S. parent's credit line in bid to boost lagging satellite-radio retail sales
Grant Robertson – Globe and Mail
John Bitove knew it would take a lot of cash to launch XM Canada, but the costly slugfest that has unfolded with rival Sirius Canada Inc. in the satellite radio market over the past year has forced the upstart company to hit up its U.S. parent for a loan.
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Archive Date - April 18, 2007
SLAIGHT HANGS ONTO SOME ASSETS
Richard Blackwell – Globe and Mail
The Slaight family has hung on to a handful of assets that were not included in the sale to Astral Media Inc., including its 40-per-cent stake in Sirius Satellite Radio, and its holding in Internet broadcaster Iceberg Radio.
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Archive Date - April 17, 2007
ASTRAL TO ACQUIRE STANDARD RADIO
Creates the largest radio broadcaster in Canada - Achieves No.1 radio market position by number of stations and by weekly hours tuned - Establishes national footprint with EZ Rock, Mix, The Bear and the Newstalk format (AM band): some of the most recognized and listened-to radio brands - Provides better balance between divisions and geographic diversification of revenue sources - Immediately accretive to earnings
CNW
Astral Media Inc. today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all of Standard Radio Inc.'s assets.
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Archive Date - April 17, 2007
$12.5 M TO RESOLVE PAYOLA VIOLATIONS
Mike Boyle – Radio and Records
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released orders adopting consent decrees with CBS Radio, Citadel Broadcasting Corporation, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and Entercom Communications Corp. whereby the broadcasters agree to pay a combined $12.5 million to close investigations into each broadcaster’s possible violations of the FCC’s sponsorship identification rules for the practice commonly referred to as “payola.”
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Archive Date - April 16, 2007
ASTRAL Q2 RESULTS
Will also acquire Standard Radio and become sole owner of MusiquePlus
CNW
Astral Media Inc. today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended February 28, 2007, which saw continued growth in revenues, earnings, EBITDA and cash flow from operations.
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Archive Date - April 16, 2007
LIGHT GOES OUT FOR DON IMUS
Bill Carter and Jacques Steinberg – New York Times
CBS brought a weeklong confrontation over a racial and sexual insult by the radio host Don Imus to an end yesterday when it canceled the “Imus in the Morning” program, effective immediately.
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Archive Date - April 13, 2007
FORMER OPEN-LINE HOST IN BREACH
CBSC Release
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) today released three decisions concerning different episodes of the open-line program Doc Mailloux broadcast on CKAC (Montréal) on various dates in 2006 (March 27, April 4 and May 30). In each case, the CBSC Quebec Regional Panel concluded that the challenged episodes were in violation of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Code of Ethics.
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Archive Date - April 13, 2007
103.9 PROUD-FM GOES LIVE-TO-AIR
Toronto’s newest and the world’s first commercial gay radio station
Proud FM Release
PROUD-FM, the world’s first commercial radio station to target the gay / LGBTTIQ2S (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, 2 Spirited) begins broadcasting on 103.9 FM in Toronto starting Monday April 16th. The station which has been counting down to the full on-air complement will air fresh and fabulous material live. At the same time, listeners can tune into the station over the internet at www.proudfm.com.
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Archive Date - April 12, 2007
BYRNESMEDIA CLIENT TESTING NEW FM
Bayshore Broadcasting Release
Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation of Owen Sound has begun signal testing for Wasaga’s new FM radio station , CHGB, 97.7 the Beach. The testing began April 5th and will run for a 4 week period as required by Industry Canada.
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Archive Date - April 12, 2007
RUTGERS ANGRY BUT WILL MEET IMUS
Rebecca Santana – Associated Press
The Rutgers women's basketball team blasted radio host Don Imus Tuesday for "racist and sexist remarks that are deplorable, despicable and abominable" and agreed to meet with the embattled radio host.
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Archive Date - April 11, 2007
ROGERS SNAGS FORMER CHUM CHANNELS
Richard Blackwell and Roma Luciw – Globe and Mail
Rogers Communications Inc. is buying several conventional and specialty television stations across the country from CTVglobemedia Inc. for $137.5-million, as CTV tries to appease regulators who will soon decide the fate of its proposed acquisition of CHUM Ltd.
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Archive Date - April 11, 2007
XM TO SUPPLY ROGERS WITH RADIO CONTENT
Canadian Press
Satellite radio provider XM Canada and telecom giant Rogers Communications have reached agreement that will see XM Canada content distributed through Rogers' wireless, cable and Internet products.
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Archive Date - April 11, 2007
MUSIC SUFFERS A LONG, COLD WINTER
Ed Christman – Billboard
While it is no shock that CD sales plummeted in the first quarter, what may be more surprising is who and what are leading that decline.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
SATELLITE COMBINATION CRITICIZED
Shaila Dani – Associated Press
A report released Tuesday by the influential media research company The Carmel Group calls arguments in favor of a combination of the country's only two satellite radio operators "ludicrous" and "selfish."
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
WEB RADIO GETS THE SQUEEZE
New online station fees threaten to dam the streams
Jim DeRogatis – Chicago Sun-Times
As relentless, multi-faceted and scare-mongering as the War on Terror, the music industry's War on Technology rages on, and the latest battlefield is Internet radio.
Click here or above for the complete story.
Archive Date - April 9, 2007
CORUS ENT Q2 RESULTS
Earnings per share of $0.46 for second quarter, up from a loss of $1.54 in the prior year - Combined Radio and Television revenues up 6% for quarter and 7% for year-to-date - Combined Radio and Television segment profit up 10% for quarter and 12% for year-to-date - Positive segment profit from Content
CNW
Corus Entertainment Inc. announced second quarter financial results today, led by strong revenue growth from its broadcasting businesses.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
RADIO STRONG DESPITE HI-TECH
AllAccess
Despite emerging technologies that compete with radio as well as provide new platforms for listening to the radio, a new American Media Services Radio Index indicates that most Americans continue to listen to radio the old-fashioned way: on the radio. But they also indicate they will not be reluctant to accept new ways to listen to their favorite radio stations in the future.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
CONSUMER PROFILE: "STREAMIES"
Boom in Streamies Triggered by YouTube, MySpace
Bridge Ratings Release
The Internet broadcast audience has penetrated American lives, and while users in the early days of the Internet were more likely to be early adopters of technology than the rest of the U.S. online population, "streamies" - those Internet consumers who stream audio or video has grown so significantly over the last two years that one-half of the U.S. population now claims they stream audio/video on a regular basis.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
MOBILE AUDIO MEDIA STUDY
Arbitron Release
A new study from Arbitron and Telephia profiles current users and explores motivations that can drive increased use of mobile digital audio.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
IPOD OWNERS WANT FM TUNERS
AllAccess
Jacobs Media indicates that iPod/personal mp3 player growth continues to be impressive, according to the company's web poll "Tech Survey III" study conducted with more than 25,000 respondents from over 69 Rock-formatted stations in late-February through early-March.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
NO CHARGES IN RADIO CONTEST DEATH
Woman died of water intoxication in contest to win video-game system
Henry K. Lee – San Francisco Chronicle
No criminal charges will be filed in connection with the death of a Sacramento County woman who died of water intoxication in a morning radio stunt gone wrong, prosecutors said Monday.
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Archive Date - April 9, 2007
TIME FOR CRTC TO SET CONDITIONS ON MERGER
NDP Release
As the days tick down on the CRTC review of the massive CTVglobemedia merger with CHUM, the NDP say a rubber stamp of the deal isn’t enough.
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Archive Date - April 5, 2007
NELLY FURTADO SCOOPS UP FIVE JUNOS
Canadian Artists Deliver World Class Performances on CTV Broadcast
Juno Awards Release
Internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado flew like a bird into the Credit Union Centre tonight, landing on stage to the delight of 13,000 screaming fans and viewers across the country to kick off The 2007 JUNO Awards broadcast on CTV. By the time the broadcast was over, Furtado had scooped up three JUNO Awards, including Album of the Year, Single of the Year and the JUNO Fan Choice Award. Furtado swept every category she was nominated in, winning five JUNO awards in total this weekend with the addition of her two wins last evening (Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year).
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Archive Date - April 4, 2007
32 AWARDS HANDED OUT AT JUNO DINNER
Juno Awards Release
Thirty-two Awards were handed out this evening at The 2007 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony attended by over 1,200 artists, industry executives, CARAS members, sponsors, VIPS and Saskatchewan dignitaries.
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Archive Date - April 4, 2007
THE COLD SPLASH OF REALITY
The Best (and Worst) April Fool's Hoaxes Ever--Radio Division
Marc Fisher – Washington Post
With thanks to the Museum of Hoaxes, here are some of the best April Fool's hoaxes of all time involving radio stations, followed by the two radio-instigated hoaxes that made the museum's 10 Worst list:
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Archive Date - April 3, 2007
BYRNESMEDIA CLIENT SUPPORTS TROOPS
Mix 106 Release
Mix 106, Owen Sound, Morning Crew Bob and Diana are helping their listeners reach out to soldiers deployed abroad with their 'Hugs from Home' program.
Click here or above for the complete story.
Archive Date - April 2, 2007
FCC SAYS IPODS DON'T COMPETE WITH SAT
Jeffrey Yorke – Radio and Records
The FCC has determined that iPods are not considered competitors to satellite radio broadcasters Sirius and XM, an outcome received with open arms by the NAB on Friday (March 30). The group immediately used the finding to fuel its rage against the $13.6 billion merger proposed by the satcasters on Feb. 19.
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Archive Date - April 2, 2007
CHUM LIMITED LAUNCHES ENERGY 101.5 FM
Calgary's Newest Radio Station
CNW
CHUM Limited has launched its new FM radio station in Calgary. Energy 101.5 FM hit the air at 1:01pm MT on Thursday, March 22 playing a mix of today's hottest adult contemporary music.
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Archive Date - April 2, 2007
HOME-GROWN TAKEOUT OF BCE MORE LIKELY
BCE firmly dismisses talk of friendly buyout deal with KKR
Carrie Tait and Scott Deveau – Financial Post
BCE Inc. is more likely to fall prey to a significant foe than seal a friendly deal with a U.S. private equity firm, experts said yesterday after it was reported that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts wants to gain control of the telecommunications giant.
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Archive Date - April 2, 2007
CC SHAREHOLDERS ADVISED TO REJECT BUYOUT
Jeffrey Yorke – Radio and Records
The chances of Clear Channel shareholders accepting the $37.60-a-share buyout offer from Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital Partners may have grown even dimmer Thursday (March 29) after Institutional Shareholder Services, a proxy advisory firm, recommended against shareholder acceptance of the $19 billion deal. Shareholders are set to vote on the offer at a special meeting in San Antonio on April 19.
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Archive Date - April 2, 2007
MERCORA LAUNCHES M V2
One-of-a-Kind Software and Service Allows Mobile Operators and Device Manufacturers to Deliver Next-Generation Music Player and Radio Capabilities with their 3G Offerings
CNW
Mercora, Inc. today announced the worldwide launch of Mercora M v2, the industry's first and only social music player and mobile radio service for 3G-enabled mobile devices.
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Archive Date - April 1, 2007
PRODUCTION/PRESENTERS FOR JUNOS
Seven awards to be presented by 16 presenters during April 1 broadcast - Crews roll-in to Saskatoon to create set designed to reflect the spirit of the Prairies - Michael Bublé to appear - Bob Rock to jam with The Tragically Hip
CTV Release
With just three days to go before the biggest traveling TV show in Canada rocks Saskatoon, CTV revealed the final elements of its The 2007 JUNO Awards broadcast plans today. Airing live on Sunday, April 1 at 7 p.m. ET (tape delayed at 9 p.m. PT) from Saskatoon’s Credit Union Centre, CTV’s two-hour broadcast will see seven JUNO Awards handed out by 16 presenters, all from one of the most inspired set designs in JUNO Awards history.
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